Trento: holidays between art and culture

Main town of Trentino, Trento became an important European center during the Council, when it received the delegations coming from all parts of the Christian world. Today it is a lively Renaissance town, rich in art and history, and a university center hosting important research institutes. This is a town where the ancient glory of the past mixes with a modern spirit, and where different traditions and cultures merge together. The old town, with its frescoed historical buildings and its different architectural styles, well represents this great variety and confirms Trento as one of the most important meeting points between southern and northern Europe. 

Trento is a town rich in monuments, ancient buildings, churches and museums hiding precious artistic treasures. The town is overlooked by the Buonconsiglio Castle, ancient home of the Prince Bishops now holding an important museum, whereas on Piazza del Duomo rises the majestic Saint Vigil Cathedral. Palazzo delle Albere holds one of the two exhibitions of the Mart, the Contemporary and Modern Art Museum of Trento and Rovereto, one of the most important of this kind in Europe, and the rooms of Palazzo Pretorio hold the artistic heritage of the Diocesan Museum. Especially interesting is also the Museum of Natural Science, having as its goal to make scientific knowledge accessible to the general public through didactic activities, seminars and conventions. 

rento is a lively artistic and cultural town: among the many events, we should mention the TrentoFilmfestival, an international festival on mountain cinema; the Economy Festival, hosting every year big names of this discipline; and the Vigilian Feasts, costume reenactments to honour Saint Vigil, patron Saint of the town. Moreover, in Trento takes place one of the most important wine and food events of this area, the Wine Exhibition, a perfect chance to taste the best of the wine production of Trentino, while in winter the famous Christmas Markets, with the beautiful stalls, the lights and the many shows endow the town with a magical and romantic atmosphere. 

Cycling is without doubt one of the most loved and widespread sports of Trentino, land of great champions, and cycling lovers have here at their disposal countless trails of every level for both mountain bikes and racing bicycles. Trento lies in fact right at the center of the cycling tracks of the region and is also near to high altitude trails, like the famous Charly Gaul ascent on the Bondone Mountain. 

Many are also the trekking trails starting from the town and winding along the hills covered with vineyards and orchards, up to the surrounding mountains. Among the more interesting trails there are the historical and cultural Tours and places of the Council, guiding you to the discovery of the buildings and churches that hosted the main personalities of the Council of Trento, and the Sentiero di San Vili, going from Trento to Madonna di Campiglio along the same route followed by Saint Vigil during his evangelizing mission. 

If you prefer winter sports you will find in the near Skiarea Monte Bondone large and perfectly groomed slopes, a snowboard park, a cross-country skiing center on the beautiful Viote plateau and charming snowshoeing trails.